A Historical Art Fiction Novel To Top The Art Forger July has been a surprising and remarkable month for book reviews—especially from lesser known authors and publishers. While June represented a slump in poor racial depictions and white privilege prejudices, July tackled those indie horror disasters with engrossing plots and top-notch writing. Picture the ultimate Catholic penance. From Brandy Woods Snow’s contemporary teen romance, Meant To Be Broken, to Anthony Le Moignan’s Alzheimer’s love story, A Long Goodbye, I can now add Arthur D. Hittner’s historical art fiction masterpiece, Artist, Soldier, Lover, Muse to my personal indie literary canon. Books for art lovers, such as Shapiro’s The Art Forger, are a unique trade in their own. Hittner surpasses the brilliance of The Art Forger with his well-painted New York Depression era filled with characters larger than the canvases Henry Kapler painted them on in his humble studio. Arthur Hittner encapsulates…

Southern Belle (Well, Maybe The Opposite) Meets Hunky & Experienced Town Star Fiery southern belle, Rayne Davidson, finds herself in an unexplainably lucky situation. The town’s shinning star, Preston Howard, has eyes on her. Preston is already taking college courses as his parents groom him to inherit the successful family business. Straight-edged, sweet, and hot as heck, Rayne cannot believe her circumstances—and neither can her mean girl friends. Add in Preston’s witty and equally hunky brother and let the love triangle begin. In one of the best teen summer romance books of the year, Meant To Be Broken (Carolina Clay #1), written by Brandy Woods Snow, thrillingly takes readers on a plot filled with high school twists and turns of Rayne’s love life. You will not be able to put down this book, especially once you hit the halfway mark. Woods Snow just keeps the heartbreaking suspense and deceitful drama…

Most days living in Florida I feel like I am melting. The windows steam up each morning and the parched lizards start moving slower. The scorching heat makes beach visits daunting, and even sitting by the pool is a challenge. This frying an egg–aka me–on the pavement scenario is problematic. My favorite past time involves a book, cool drink, and The Uncorked Librarian in a lounge chair. How do you make these hot days bearable? Book to beach is like wine to Christine. There is, of course, only one solution: more alcohol! Well, frothier drinks at least and maybe more engaging books. In fact, what if the book gave you the chills? I’m talking shivers like when you watch Riverdale (Season 2) before bed. Or even better, what if you read about ice skating and the winter while roasting outside? Or how about getting your head sawed off and cryogenically frozen? …

The Problems Book Bloggers Face: Please be good; please be good; pleaseeeee be good When I look back at why I started a book blog, my motivations stemmed from wanting to find lesser-known titles and my desire to bring them into the public eye. Readers’ advisory was always my favorite excuse to chat endlessly with patrons at the reference desk. I equally loved finding a title that I may have never picked up without some gentle coaxing. Yes, many book bloggers choose and receive ARCs from databases like NetGalley—a source that I love—but even better is when an author or member related to them reaches out with a sincere and well put together PR email. When that same email brings home the idea of a novel about Alzheimer’s disease from an author whom the subject matter personally relates, I know my heart is in for a doozy. I hate crying. …